Learn something beautiful.

​ Last week, orrell design orchestrated a photoshoot to showcase the new renovation and design of the salon. Capturing pictures was our former employee and friend Caroline Simmons. Caroline did an excellent job capturing all of the elegance of our new look. For those of you who have not visited since our renovation, a lot has changed. The flooring is now a hand painted geometric design. The floor plan is completely open now— creating a much more minimalist look.

Sleek, shiny and very modern. Three large beautiful cabinets now house our Davines Products. The shampoo room wallpaper is to die for. The yellow birds, brand new bowls and stainless steel, what’s not to love?

Upstairs, our lovely pagoda brings a more angular geometric pattern into play. Little hints of silver from the wall paper help bring a little sparkle to the front desk! ​

Caroline also got adorable head shots of the staff for the website, possible family photo options for the holidays and some great action shots. Our team is growing here at orrell design. Seeing everyone together and looking so beautiful was definitely heart warming. So much love and support from all angles of the od team!

Salon design by the wonderful and talented Bradshaw Orrell, of course!

We were fortunate enough to hold a two day cutting seminar at our salon. For those of you who don’t know, Vidal Sassoon is the Harvard of hair. Using geometric principles and architectural influences, the Vidal Sassoon education turns haircutting into a science. All cuts are customized to the individual client and no two cuts are ever the same.

Our instructors, Karen and Travis, both traveled from two different academies to lead us through our workshop. Both full of information, each day began with lectures by Karen and Travis. The lectures included diagrams and visual aids for the haircut of the day, as well as a history of the haircut and its evolution over time. ​

After lectures, Travis and Karen both cut models as a demonstration. Getting to watch two people have such fluidity and attention to detail was inspiring. With perfection, each snip of their shears created masterpieces. We were encouraged to move closer to watch and to ask questions. Once we were all intimidated by Karen and Travis’ mad skills, it was time for us to cut. ​

​The first day, we cut a bob. Most of us cut a bob in a much different way than we were traditionally taught. Cutting through the comb and true zero elevation were terms heard flying around as Karen and Travis diligently checked each step. Taking about two hours, our haircuts were perfect and complete. The second day, we cut a pixie. Granted, pixie cuts are not what they used to be trend wise, and learning the technique of how to cut a pixie was very useful. A lot of what we learned can be applied to any short haircut and/or men's cuts. Cutting short hair is always the hardest, so why not learn it from the best? Different than most ways of cutting hair, we all began on the sides of the head to ensure equal length. Taking a little over two hours this time, we had perfect, complete pixie cuts.

“Sassoon is at the pinnacle of hair design and welcomes you to a world of aesthetic advancement and achieving the exemplary. With a Sassoon cut you can enjoy the satisfaction that you look your absolute best - you have reached and realized your full beauty potential, purely through hair exclusively designed around you.”

So next time you come in, how about asking for a Sassoon inspired cut? We’d love to show you all we have learned.​

A huge thank you to our owner Kerrie Orrell for the dedication and belief she has in all of us. Thank you for investing in our futures and in our talent.

​Under-Eye Bags: Tomorrow's to-do list can weigh on your mind, keeping you from getting enough beauty sleep. This can cause fluid to pool below your lower eyelid area, and what you end up with is a puffy mess in the a.m. Stomach sleepers, bad news: You can expect the puffiness of your under-eye bags to be even worse because of gravity. If you still wake up with puffy eyes in the morning, hold the back of a cold spoon (pop it in the fridge so it gets chilly) up to your under-eye area and massage it from the inner to the outer corner of your eye to jumpstart the fluid's drainage. Then, apply concealer in an inverted triangle under your eye. The brightness will start slightly below your nostrils and build toward your eye, concealing the puffiness.

​Keep Your Hair on Your Head: Hair loss is usually a reaction to significant physiological stress caused by an extreme change in your diet, medical issues, or sudden lifestyle changes, like switching your birth control, an illness, or, in extreme cases, the stress of breaking up with your boyfriend. But there is light at the end of the tunnel: Once the culprit of your hair loss is addressed and under control, your hair will return to its regular growing system and begin to grow and shed normally again. If you notice your hair falling out more than usual, talk to your doctor to make sure nothing serious is going on.

Prevent and Blur Lines: Be mindful of making certain unconscious facial expressions when you have a lot on your plate, especially when you're sitting at your desk. Need help training your muscles to relax? If you tend to furrow your brow, put a piece of clear tape in between your arches when you're at work. That way when you scrunch up your brow muscle, the tape will crinkle, reminding you to relax it. If pursing your lips is what you struggle with, do the same above your upper lip. After a while, you'll learn to drop the habit. Because, let's be real, how long can you tolerate wearing face tape in public? To minimize the look of any lines you may have now, pat on a silicone-based formula that temporarily fills in fine lines, so your makeup goes on smoothly and doesn't settle into them.

Dry, Flaky Skin: If you're stressed, chances are you're not drinking enough water. You might also be drinking coffee or soda, which can be dehydrating. And if your body doesn't get the proper hydration it needs, your skin will end up feeling (and looking) like crepe paper. Look Dewy and Fresh-Faced: First and foremost, drink a lot of water — eight glasses (or more!) each day. You can also down some green tea for a boost of healthy antioxidants and eat foods that have a high water content (fruits and veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, beets, and celery are 80 to 90 percent water).

​Let's talk fashion. This fall we are seeing lots of pattern, lots of texture and lots of lines. With graphic black and white, hard-hitting punk, folksy tribal, military styling and an Eighties comeback, the continuation of a Seventies Summer tells a story of multiple influences for Fall/Winter 2015-2016, in a celebration of personal style.

Black and white prints created an optical style illusion, ready to be reflected on the street in myriad ways.

Reefer Jackets are back for the fall. Based on the U.S. Navy’s double- breasted blue coat, strong lines and structure give the traditional military jacket some flair. ​

Full-length velvet is big for next season. Long, flowing gowns for evening cocoon the body for a striking silhouette that's going to light up your night come Fall.

If last Winter was all about flares and chunky knits, this time around it's the dress that gets the jersey treatment. A little more form fitting this year, sweater dresses are a lot less concealing.